40 cited in Oxnard unattended vehicle enforcement operation

Oxnard police issued 40 citations Friday morning to drivers who left their vehicles running while unattended, according to authorities.

The enforcement operation took place between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. and was performed by officers from the Neighborhood Policing Team and Auto Theft Task Force.

The operation was performed in response to an increased number of vehicle thefts taking place in the city of Oxnard. In 2018, 786 vehicle thefts were reported stolen, an increase of 13.4 percent from 2017, according to police. About 25 percent of the stolen vehicle incidents in 2018 were considered preventable because the vehicles were unlocked or left with the key unattended.

The Oxnard police department encourages the public to never leave their vehicles unattended while those vehicles are running because it creates an opportunity for the vehicle to be stolen. Additionally, the department reminds residents to close all windows, keep vehicles locked and remove valuables.

Residents can help in combating the problem by reporting suspicious persons or activity to the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

Read or Share this story: https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/oxnard/2019/01/18/40-cited-oxnard-unattended-vehicle-enforcement-operation/2621011002/